Calculate how much rent you can afford based on your income. Use the 30% rule, 40x income rule, or debt-to-income method to find your ideal rent range.
Income & Expenses
Find your ideal rent range
💰 Income
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$20K$500K
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💳 Monthly Debts
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$
$
$
🏠 Location
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$
Recommended Max Rent
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30% of gross income rule
Comfortable Rent
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30% Rule (Gross)
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40x Income Rule
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DTI-Based Max
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Take-Home Based (50%)
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Annual Income
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Monthly Gross
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Monthly Take-Home
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Total Monthly Debts
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30% Rule Max Rent
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40x Annual Income Max Rent
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DTI-Based Max Rent (36% DTI)
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Total Housing Cost (with utils)
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FAQ
What is the 30% rule for rent?
The 30% rule says you should spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. On a $65,000 salary, that's $1,625/month. This is a general guideline — in expensive cities, many people spend 35-40%.
What is the 40x income rule?
Many NYC landlords require your annual income to be at least 40x the monthly rent. So to rent a $2,000/month apartment, you'd need $80,000 annual income. This is a landlord qualification rule, not a budgeting guideline.
What is a healthy debt-to-income ratio for renters?
A total DTI (all debts + rent) under 36% is considered healthy by lenders and financial advisors. Above 43% is generally too high. Calculate: all monthly debts ÷ gross monthly income.
Should I include utilities in the 30% calculation?
Some advisors include utilities in the 30% threshold (total housing costs), while others count rent alone. If you include utilities, electric + water + internet (~$200-$400/month) significantly impacts how much rent is truly affordable.